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Design Trust for Public Space

Underneath New York City’s 700 miles of elevated bridges, highways, subway and rail lines lies millions of square feet of public space – nearly four times the size of Central Park – with the potential to radically transform life in the city. Under the Elevated: Reclaiming Space, Connecting Communities presents an in-depth plan for how, and why, this massive inventory of residual space must be reimagined.

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Synthesizing more than two years of research, design, and policy work conducted by our multi-disciplinary team of Fellows in collaboration with our project partner and the Design Trust staff, the Under the Elevated publication envisions how to increase the vibrancy and resiliency of neighborhoods in all five boroughs, and cities everywhere, by addressing and reclaiming the spaces associated with elevated transportation infrastructure. The substantial inventory of space in NYC alone represents an untapped public asset that the has the potential to make a significant impact on our urban fabric.

Specifically, the publication includes:

An overview of the elevated infrastructure network in NYC with original maps and drawings illustrating typical site conditions;

24 case studies highlighting national and international precedents for re-imagining these sites;

Original drawings developed by Urban Design Fellow Susannah Drake that detail new uses and innovative strategies for "el-spaces" including modular green infrastructure systems and affordable studio space for artists; and

A set of policy recommendations developed by Policy Fellow Douglas Woodward aimed at establishing a new program within NYC DOT—the El-Space Program—that would transform sites beneath elevated transportation infrastructure.

Under the Elevated puts New York City at the forefront of
the growing national and international trend of addressing
and reclaiming aging elevated transportation infrastructure
and the spaces associated with it. It is the first major urban initiative to propose a comprehensive approach in dealing with these spaces citywide.